North Carolina State University Athletics
Baker Granted 6th Year of Eligibility by NCAA
11/19/2009 12:00:00 AM | Football
RALEIGH, N.C. – The NCAA has granted NC State senior tailback Toney Baker a sixth year of eligibility, Wolfpack head coach Tom O'Brien announced following Thursday's football practice.
Baker, who had missed most of the last two years while he recovered from two knee surgeries, is NC State's leading rusher this season with 664 net yards on 133 attempts and is tied for the team lead with nine touchdowns (six rushing, three receiving).
Baker has single-season career high of 24 receptions this season for 306 yards
"We will sit down with him after the end of the season and talk about it and see what he wants to do,"O'Brien said at the Dail Practice Field. "We still have two games to play. There is plenty of time to talk with him about what he wants to do."
Baker will graduate in December with a degree in Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management. While he has the option of returning, he has not made a firm decision yet.
"It is something I would like to have," Baker said earlier in the week, talking about the sixth year of eligibility. "That's why we filled out all the paper work and sent it off. I would be happy for it to happen. It will be nice to have the option to come back."
The former prep All-American at Ragsdale High School in Jamestown, N.C., led the Wolfpack in rushing as a sophomore in 2006 with 688 yards. For his career, he has 1,936 rushing yards, which ranks 11th in school history.
Baker was the starter in the 2007 season opener against Central Florida, but injured his knee in the first quarter, missing the rest of the season following surgery to repair torn cartilage.
He had additional surgery in the fall of 2008 and missed his second consecutive season.
The NCAA allows student-athletes five years to compete four years of competition, but schools are allowed to petition on behalf of the student-athlete for an extra if he or she has missed two seasons because of injury.
